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Latest Toy Releases
Written by: Kim Helk
Know what your kids want for Christmas even before they do.
Although Christmas is still about five months away, it’s never too early to start looking out for toys for the kids in the family. Shop now and avoid the holiday hustle and bustle with our guide to the hottest toys this year. From inflatable construction blocks, to hand-held educational game systems to waterproof remote control cars, we have collected a list of award winning, educational, safe, and exciting toys that will please both kids and parents alike. Get ahead of the stores for once. Get your Christmas shopping done before they get their Christmas decorations up.
Tinker Minds, Inc. Aeroblocks
New from Tinker Minds Inc. is Aeroblocks, giant, inflatable construction blocks. Now kids can be the toys in their own constructions as these bright and colorful blocks are ergonomically designed for kids. They are highly durable and easy to fasten, through Velcro strips and loops. Although tested on ages two through nine, they are recommended for ages four and up. They are soft and safe, with no sharp corners and stand about two feet high each. They earned the Smart Play Product of Excellence Award for their safety and for the creativity they inspire. Although they claim inflation and deflation of each block is 20 seconds, depending on your pump capacity, with a hand pump it takes about an hour to inflate 12. With 12 blocks, you can make 25 different configurations. It’s a perfect toy for a family with lots of room, as you do not want to inflate and deflate the blocks everyday.
Playmobil - My Take Along Doll House
Playmobil’s My Take Along Doll House is great for kids ages four and up, whether at home or traveling. It is easy to close up and carry, or even store. Lightweight for small hands, no assembly is required. It comes with 85 accessory pieces for playing house. Easy on parents and perfect for the budding homemaker.
My Take Along Holiday House
Visit the North pole to see what Santa is up to with the My Take Along Holiday House. Easy to store and carry along to grandma’s house, some assembly is required for Santa’s sleigh. Decorated and ready to go for Christmas, it comes with 85 accessory pieces and is for ages four and up.
Three Story Doll House
Ever think a doll house could be more extravagant than your own home? This three story doll house, which takes two hours to assemble, will make you want to move in. Over two feet tall and 21 inches long, the house comes with its’ new owners, a man and a woman. Furniture and accessories not included.
Kid Galaxy Go-Go Auto Fire Truck
Kid Galaxy, comes out with another award winning toy, this time the recipient of the Dr. Toy 2005 Best Vacation Children’s Product. With an exterior and bumpers made out of soft, pliable, resilient foam, the Go-Go Auto Fire Truck is a great pick for children and car lovers as young as three. Accessorized by a two button steering wheel controller perfect for small hands, this car is perfect for small children and future NASCAR fans.
Morphibians
With a toy that can maneuver any terrain and stay afloat in a bathtub or pool, kids five and up will be sure to go crazy over Kid Galaxy’s Morphibians. 100% water proof, it not only won the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award, but also the Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children’s Product for 2005. With full function and easy to hold remote control, it will always right itself if it lands off balance. Don’t forget to pick up batteries as well, as this needs two AAA and three AA. Because the Morphibian is controlled by radio waves, the remote control’s signal can be interfered by cordless phones, hairdryers, radios, walkie talkies and other radio controlled toys.
Chicco Radio Control ATV
The international toy company Chicco comes to the States with its remote controlled, off-road 4x4. With a four buttoned remote control, allowing the car to move in four different directions, it coordination skills and stimulates the baby’s creativity. Made for ages two and up, it has rubber bumpers and gives off an almost “Herbie” look as its cute expressions include a smile, tongue and eyes.
Disney Winnie the Pooh Kidzmouse
Including Disney learning software, this PC and Mac compatible mouse is specifically designed for ages 2-10. With perfect grip for smaller hands, this colorful mouse works by being squeezed, rather than tapped, enabling the child to click anywhere. Adapter is included with this advanced optical technology computer mouse and parents can even use their own mouse on the same computer while the child uses this one.
Imperial Super Miracle Bubbles & Hover Bubble
No more messy dipping with this new battery powered Hover Bubble which contains a replaceable container of bubbles. Made for ages five and up, it can create enormous bubbles one at a time or clusters of many at once. Great toy for backyard fun and no wet soapy messes.
FridgePlay’s GoPlay Magnetic Travel Games
Coming in classic children’s games such as chess, checkers, hang-man, four-in-a-row and Chinese checkers, these games are small and light, perfect for kids on the go. Colorful tins include directions printed on the inside, but contain small parts, so these are not intended for children under three.
Elmer’s 3-D Sparkle Scents Glitter Glue Pens
Only one of twelve products in the 3-D washable Paint Pens line from Elmer’s, they are safe and non toxic. With easy flow tips for no clogging, these pens make artwork “pop” and glitter off the paper, while reducing the mess.
Squeeze ‘N Brush Washable Paints
The paint is in the brush, making it easy and less messy to paint. The brush is refillable, containing non toxic and washable tempera paint. Available in Classic, Funky Glitters, and Electric Neons.
Washable Wide Glue Stick
Non toxic and ultra smooth, this new, wider glue stick goes on purple and dries clear. Great for larger craft projects, it is washable and acid free.
Leap Frog -- My First LeapPad
In the shape of a school bus, the My First LeapPad introduces kids to preschool skills such as reading and writing. New on this year’s model is the ability to explore letters and colors with the built in, interactive A-Z phonics game. It can either be used with the My First LeapPad library of books, or without, as songs and games are stored on the LeapPad.
Leapster L-Max Learning Game System
For children in grades pre-K through 4th, this new game system can either be used as a hand held or can be connected to the TV. It works with Leapster software, and has a touch sensitive screen which even works when connected to the TV. It even allows for dual images to be projected onto the handheld screen and TV at once.
V-Tech V.Smile Pocket 2005
A wireless, handheld, educational video game system for ages five and over, the V.Smile Pocket 2005 is a portable learning system that can even be connected to the TV. It is fully compatible with the V.Smile Smartridge Library. Bright and colorful, it has oversized buttons which can be adapted for either right or left handed players.
Baby Toys/ Products
V-Tech Sunny Face Smart Gym
With bright and colorful characters within the baby’s reach, the Sunny Face Smart Gym will be set in motion with just a gentle touch. The sun in the middle lights up and moves in rhythm to the music, entertaining the baby. Bold colors, bright lights, and rhythmic phrases and songs will stimulate young minds and help to develop motor skills.
Crazy Legs Learning Bugs
With a baby bug residing on top of the big bug’s back, this duo helps teach kids shapes, numbers, and colors with games and music and lights. Young walkers can pull it along behind them, making the baby bug move from side to side. Removable shapes attached to the “crazy legs” of the baby bug fit into slots on the larger bug’s side. Very and colorful to attract the toddlers’ attention.
Built NY Neoprene Baby Gear
Built NY comes out with an ingenious new helper for mommies everywhere. Neoprene, the material of scuba suits, is the new material for Built NY’s new line of Neoprene Baby Gear. Super absorbent, machine washable, and with a water proof inner layer, the Baby Gear line consists of:
-Strolling Tote: Perfect for the mommy and baby on the go, it has a snap strap handle which can attach easily to a stroller, or can just as easily be held. Large enough for wipes, diapers, mommy’s cell phone, and any other necessity, the handle is even wide enough so that a pacifier can be safely and securely stored on it.
-Thirsty & Double Thirsty Bags: Convenient snap handles attach to anything, from car seats to strollers. It can insulate cold water and even keep warm milk warm.
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Comfy and Tidy Bibs: Comes with a non-scratchy neck (I tested it out on myself), the Comfy bib and the Tidy. The Tidy comes with a crumb pocket on the bottom, which is opened up by Velcro for easy cleaning. The crumb pocket really does catch crumbs --again, I could not resist temptation to try it out for myself. Babies will love the soft material and bright colors, and moms will bless the lessened laundry load.
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